Blending the enchanting atmosphere of cinematic storytelling with the ancient mystery of stage arts, the Türkiye Magic Festival (TMF) opens the doors of the illusion world wide on 24–25 January 2026 at Trump Sahne in Istanbul. Going far beyond a mere series of performances, this event elevates the art of magic to a level of institutional legitimacy by integrating the standards of FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques)—widely regarded as the “Olympics of Magic”—onto the Turkish stage for the first time, marking a true artistic milestone. Hosting virtuosos from across Europe to Asia, the festival proves that magic is not simply sleight of hand; it is an interdisciplinary performance discipline woven together with music, lighting design, and dramaturgical depth.
Under the visionary leadership of the Türkiye İllüzyonistler Derneği (Turkish Illusionists Association), this gathering serves as a critical “launching pad” for local talents to enter the global circuit. The championship held within the festival functions as an academic examination for Turkish illusionists to earn the right to represent their country on international stages, while workshops and theoretical discussions establish a think-tank shaping the future of the art of magic. As Özgür Kapmaz emphasizes, the core mission of this organization is to raise the artistic standards of illusion and build a professional infrastructure capable of exporting the imagination of young talents to world stages.
The festival’s “Gala Shows” section transforms the high production values familiar to cinephiles into a live stage experience. Featuring a 75-minute specially curated selection alongside Turkey’s Kıvanç & Burak are award-winning illusionists from Germany, Brazil, and Taiwan. From Julius Frack’s monumental illusions to Alain Simonov’s poetic close-up performances, this range presents an aesthetic unity where technology is used in a lyrical language and storytelling remains at the centre. The programme invites the audience to break free from the dullness of digital screens and step into the thrilling, mesmerizing reality of “live witnessing.”
Offered as an intellectual and entertaining break for families during the peaceful semester holiday period, the festival aims to position Istanbul as one of the central hubs on the international magic map. This process—where spectators of all ages from 7 to 70 rediscover their inner sense of “wonder”—is designed not merely as an illusion show, but as a collective reaffirmation of belief in the possibility of the impossible. By bringing the universal language of magic together with Istanbul’s historic and cultural texture, the Türkiye Magic Festival creates a mystical and aesthetic space where participants can breathe freely amid the full rationality of modern times.
